Sources close to the situation have revealed that Darby Allin has made it clear that he has no interest in facing Mick Foley in the ring, despite the growing speculation surrounding a potential dream encounter.
Foley’s AEW debut at Double or Nothing sparked talk of a future program after he shared a moment with Allin ahead of his AEW World Strap battle against MJF. Allin additionally paid tribute to Foley’s Cactus Jack persona during the bout.
That said, speaking with The Takedown on SI, Allin shared he would much rather team with the WWE Hall of Famer than wrestle him.
“I would never wrestle Mick — i would never wrestle against Mick. Would I team with him — absolutely. I would team with him in a heartbeat. I would love to team with him.” Just like I would never wrestle Sting.
Allin compared the situation to his successful partnership with Sting, noting that any decision about returning to the ring ultimately rests with Foley. “That’s the thing for Mick to answer. What does he feel in his career that, if he would even need that, if there’s any questions unanswered?
I know for Sting, all those years ago, there were many questions unanswered about how his career finished and how it wasn’t on his own terms. Does Mick still have those questions as Sting did, while that remains to be seen.”
Allin further stated that he is confident that there is far more value in standing alongside Foley than competing against him. “I don’t feel like I’d get out of it what we want, I feel like there’s a lot more meat on the bone with me teaming with him.
I wouldn’t want to go out there and have that with somebody like Mick that plenty of people are saying he doesn’t need to be in the ring. If he’s gonna be in the ring, I wanna do everything to help him, by his side. On a related note, it’s just not something that interests me.”
Interestingly, Foley within the past few days expressed the opposite view while appearing on Going Ringside, naming Allin as his dream opponent should he ever wrestle one final match. So you never know what the future may bring.”, “I pointed out to Darby that I am on record as saying he would be a dream opponent.
Foley additionally acknowledged that any return would require more preparation. “I’m down numerous weight, still my cardio is suspect at best, and I’d still have to lose another 30 pounds.”